Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is aware, of course, that regional and rural businesses are extremely vulnerable and susceptible to the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, particularly given how the negotiations are drifting. In the Border region this is particularly pronounced but it is also apparent right across the country. It is extremely difficult to perceive any upside in respect of the current impasse in the negotiations. There is a clearly fractured British Government on one side, whose members are busy negotiating among themselves and cannot get agreement. How can Monsieur Barnier and his team at EU level try to achieve something in that context? It is all in a very precarious balance. A White Paper has not even been furnished by the British side to enable substantive, sustainable or significant negotiations to take place.

There are critical issues that affect the whole of Ireland, such as how to achieve a frictionless and open Border and preserve and protect the principles of the Good Friday Agreement. I am concerned about how far advanced we are. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is leading matters but what input has the Department of Rural and Community Development? Does it have any staff specifically assigned to ensure there is input into all areas and the necessary strategies are formulated and put in place? This is of momentous importance to all our communities.

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